Scripture Study for

The apostolic mission has extended beyond Jerusalem and Judea and is making its way along the Mediterranean coast. Paul and  Barnabas are now in the southern regions of modern-day Turkey.  As we have come to expect, they are not favorably received by all Jews. In response, the apostles announce that they are now taking the gospel to the Gentiles, which has been God’s plan all along, once the gospel had been announced to Israel. The Gentiles in the crowd are delighted to hear that the gracious gift of life offered first to the Jews is available also to them, and through them the message begins to spread even further. Once again, even though they have been rejected and persecuted, the apostles are filled with joy that they are fulfilling their mission. 

The Lamb seated on the throne receives worship not only from the angels and elders, but also from the multitude from every nation who have remained faithful to Christ in the face of persecution. The fact that they “survived the time of great distress” may mean either that they lived through the persecution without apostasizing or that they died faithfully as martyrs, and thus survived into eternal life. In either case, they are now in the Lamb’s presence, washed clean in his blood and ready to receive their reward. Although they suffered much on earth, now they can rest in his shelter. The vision is clearly intended to encourage those in John’s audience who struggle to stay faithful under the Romans. That time of struggle will end, he assures them, if only they will persevere in Christ.

The metaphor of shepherd is used often in the Old Testament to describe religious and royal leaders in Israel, as well as to describe  God (Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23). The image evokes care and protection,  especially against predatory animals. Yet in Israel, human leaders often failed in their task, abusing their “sheep” rather than caring for them. In response, God promises either to shepherd them personally or to raise up a proper shepherd (Ezekiel 34:16, 23–24). Jesus, of course, is this Good Shepherd, who protects them not necessarily from physical harm in this world but from eternal harm. Unlike regular sheep, which can be stolen, none of Jesus’ sheep can be taken from him because they are guarded by divine power, that of the  Father, which the Son shares because they are one.